According to brewery president Gary McMullen, the “passion project” has been in the works for three years, and a still was obtained late last year. “The Muskoka team is thirsty for knowledge and this is an opportunity for our team to learn, collaborate and develop new skills and talents,” he says.

Given the experimental nature of the project, McMullen doesn’t anticipate releasing any spirits for sale this year. “Right now this is a fun journey for us,” he tells What’s Brewin’. “It’s a chance for us to venture off the beaten path, have fun and try something new. We don’t have any plans for what we will distill. We’ll just see what we like and go from there.”